The sound will come first, a rising roar echoing between steel and glass as engines tear through streets better known for game days and concerts. On a spring weekend next March, that roar will sweep past the towering walls of AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field as the inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington takes over the city’s Entertainment District.
For three days, Arlington will transform into a high-speed playground as some of the world’s fastest drivers compete on a temporary 2.73-mile street circuit that places the city’s most recognizable landmarks at center stage. The race marks a defining moment for a city already known for hosting world-class sporting events, expanding Arlington’s identity once again, this time onto the international motorsports stage.
The moment is historic. It marks the first time a major NTT INDYCAR SERIES street race has been built inside a sports-and-entertainment district designed to host millions of visitors each year. With this event, Arlington becomes the newest destination on INDYCAR’s global map, stepping into a bold new chapter of elite competition, large-scale tourism, and national visibility.
With the race airing on FOX, the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington offers a rare opportunity to showcase the Entertainment District’s many assets to a national and international audience. Millions of viewers will see Arlington not only as a race host but as a destination built for major moments, where sports, hospitality, and large-scale events intersect on a global stage.
A Weekend Built for Speed
Race weekend spans March 13–15, 2026, offering residents and visitors three full days of racing, entertainment, and festival-style energy. Friday’s opening practice sessions give drivers their first opportunity to learn the unfamiliar course while teams fine-tune their setups. Saturday shifts the focus to qualifying, where every millisecond matters and competitors fight for the best possible starting positions.
Everything builds toward Sunday, when strategy, precision, and full-throttle speed determine who claims victory. The schedule mirrors INDYCAR’s most iconic street race formats, but the backdrop is uniquely Arlington.
The 2.73-mile circuit stands apart from every other layout on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. Featuring 14 turns, a double-sided pit lane, and a sweeping 0.9-mile straight where cars are expected to exceed 180 mph, the course is engineered for spectacle. What truly distinguishes the race, however, is the setting itself.
A District Built for Big Moments
Arlington’s Entertainment District is more than the backdrop for the race; it is central to the story. The district welcomes millions of visitors each year and has become one of North Texas’s most concentrated hubs for sports, dining, and live entertainment. Hosting the Grand Prix here extends that legacy while leveraging an area intentionally designed for large-scale events and high-volume tourism.
For city leaders, the decision to bring INDYCAR racing onto the district’s streets aligns directly with Arlington’s long-term tourism strategy.
“We want Arlington to be the world’s pre-eminent sports destination,” said Brent DeRaad, president and CEO of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Having The District’s streets serve as the race venue with our three stadiums, Loews Hotels’ properties, and Texas Live as the backdrop fits perfectly with that aspiration.”
Within walking distance of the circuit are thousands of hotel rooms, dozens of restaurants, and major attractions, allowing visitors to move seamlessly between racing, dining, and entertainment throughout the weekend. For local businesses, the Grand Prix represents more than increased foot traffic; it offers the opportunity to engage first-time visitors and leave lasting impressions long after the final lap.
For many ticket holders, this will be their first experience navigating a street race in Arlington. Organizers and tourism officials say their goal is simple: reduce confusion, support local businesses, and ensure that visitors can focus on enjoying the event rather than navigating logistics. With many visitors planning their first trip to Arlington around the race, city leaders are encouraging fans to plan ahead and take advantage of available resources.
“We encourage ticket holders and anyone interested in the race experience and District amenities to visit the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington’s website at gparlington.com, along with the Arlington CVB’s website at arlington.org,” DeRaad said. “Arlington hotel rooms are still available for the March 13-15 race weekend.”
The Fan Experience: All Gas, No Brakes
Beyond the racing itself, fans can expect a full festival-style environment built around accessibility and community. Interactive activations, merchandise villages, live entertainment, and dining experiences are expected to create a dynamic atmosphere that appeals to longtime motorsports fans and newcomers alike.
City leaders say the message to visitors is one of excitement, accessibility, and scale. The Entertainment District offers a dense concentration of stadiums, hotels, restaurants, bars, museums, and attractions, all within walking distance of the race circuit. Downtown Arlington sits just one mile away, and DFW International Airport is approximately 15 minutes from the district, making travel convenient for out-of-town and international guests.
A City Steps Onto the National Stage
For Arlington, the INDYCAR Grand Prix represents more than a new event; it marks a defining milestone in the city’s evolving identity as a global sports destination.
“The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington is bringing together three high-powered professional sports organizations in Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Rangers,” said DeRaad. “Arlington has been the site for World Series, Super Bowls, and Final Fours. Adding an IndyCar race on the streets of The District, followed three months later by FIFA World Cup matches, puts Arlington on a world stage.”
The INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington represents more than a weekend of racing. It signals the city’s evolution as a destination capable of hosting globally recognized events while attracting national and international attention. When engines ignite and streets transform into a competitive circuit, Arlington will be showcasing not only elite motorsport but also the result of long-term vision, strategic partnerships, and community alignment.
As the first pack of cars rockets past AT&T Stadium and into the heart of the Entertainment District, the city will be claiming its place on a national stage.
This is not just a motorsport weekend.
This is Arlington’s next defining moment.
Credit: INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington
